A MAN has been jailed for a series of sexual offences, including two rapes, against a young boy over a ten-year period.
For a time, Simon Berry cared for a child in his local community, aged under ten.
Having gained the boys’ trust, Berry, then in his twenties, systematically molested him for almost ten years.
Detective Constable Stewart Cameron, of the Brighton and Hove Protective Investigation Unit, said Berry denied any wrongdoing which meant the victim, now in his 20s himself, had to give evidence at the court.
Now 33, Berry was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of 16 counts of sexually assaulting the boy, including two rapes.
Simon Berry, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton
In addition, Berry, of Whitehawk Road, Brighton, will also serve a further two years on an extended prison licence.
At Southwark Crown Court, he was told he would be a registered sex offender for life and was given a sexual abuse prevention order, also for life, severely restricting his access to children and digital communication devices.
Detective Constable Cameron said the victim’s testimony was ‘essential’ to securing Berry’s convictions.
“He finally faced justice, another example of how we can successfully investigate such predators and protect local communities,” he said.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-30 13:06:49
